It’s been more than two years since I wrote a “books.films” entry. And although I have been reading some and watching some, distractions such as the Food Network and various blogs have delayed my efforts to increase my lists. Well, time to get myself back on track:

Books
I really enjoyed Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto. It is a graceful ensemble story that involves South American terrorists, beautiful opera music, and unlikely romances. Two of the central characters, one a translator with knowledge of virtually all major languages and the other a superstar soprano of classical opera, renewed my sense of appreciation for languages and music. The book, in many ways, ties language and music together: while the characters cannot communicate clearly to each other because of their many different languages (Japanese, Spanish, Russian, English, etc.), they find common ground through their love of music. And while the message itself is neither ground-breaking nor fresh, I give Patchett much credit for her ability to express it with subtlety and much entertainment.

I began reading The Magus by John Fowles and was a bit startled by the voice and how the first person narration of the young male character, Nicholas, seemed so familiar and similar to the type of narration that I usually chase in any of my writing exercises. Save the eloquence and more complex vocabulary, I found much to compare (and like) in Fowles’s writing in relation to my own. It’s probably nothing special and more of an overexcitement on my part in reading about uncertain (and often cynical) outlooks on life, the (subtle) titillations of sexual possibilities, and moments of self and world-loathing – not uncommon ingredients to a generic young male character narrative. But Fowles is anything but generic and I continue enjoying the unfolding of the story.

I was excited to find Agee on Film Volume 1 in a box of a street book vendor the other day. I have heard much about James Agee’s film reviews in the Atlantic Monthly (from the 1940s) and how his column is more of a lesson on “writing with a voice” than it is on writing good film critiques. I have read a few of his columns, and easily enough, I see what people mean when they praise his “voice.” Sharp, witty, and concise, Agee takes a very distinct angle in reviewing films and engages the reader through a warm and intimate tone that shares more than just a few opinions on movies – we learn about his tastes in art, politics, and his various wishes for improvement in cinema. A treasure find, and I only paid 3 bucks for it!

Films
Scoop, directed by Woody Allen, was a cute and light-hearted film which had some laughable moments but was easily forgettable. The only thing I can really recall is the scene with Scarlett Johansson at the pool wearing her tight red bathing suit. If you’ve already seen Match Point, then perhaps you’ve already been charitable enough to the Allen-Johansson collaborative.

Miss Little Sunshine, on the other hand, was a genuinely fun and moving film that I highly recommend. A pathetic family embarks on a road trip from New Mexico to California so that the young daughter can participate in the Miss Little Sunshine contest. This journey film is a dynamite of clashing personalities, all quirky and off-center in their own way. I especially enjoyed the performances of Greg Kinnear, who plays the motivational speaker and father in constant denial about his failures, and Steve Carell, who plays the suicidal gay uncle and “preeminent scholar of Proust.” And I was very excited when I heard Sufjan Stevens’s Chicago – in instrumental form – being played over the first pan of the van on the road. Could not have chosen a better moment to place the track.